MARK McGHEE will not be going to Tynecastle after Motherwell revealed that the manager has opted to stay at Fir Park.

McGhee, who was interviewed for the Scotland job back in January, led Motherwell to a Uefa Cup spot this season with a third place SPL finish which attracted the interest of Hearts.

Motherwell refused the Gorgie club permission to speak to him on Friday and since then McGhee has been locked in talks with Well chairman John Boyle, who has persuaded the manager to remain at the helm of the Lanarkshire club.

McGhee was poised to fly out to Lithuania yesterday for talks with Hearts chief Vladimir Romanov, but at the last minute had a change of heart.

It's believed that McGhee would have trebled his wages by switching to Tynecastle, but he believes the move is premature.

"It smacked a bit of what I did earlier in my management career," he explained. "When a bigger job came up I went.

"Hearts was a bigger job but, make no mistake, I would never say it was a better job.

"I couldn't allow myself to go this time as I have to give a little more back.

"As much as Hearts was a fantastic opportunity, I have to stick it out at Motherwell a bit longer.

"I was at the door of the plane and I would have been the last passenger on board. But I turned around and said: I can't do this.' The prospect of European football is a significant lure for the 51-year-old who has transformed Well.

"We are in Europe and I have always wanted that on my CV," he said. "I want that experience.

"I've a fantastic little team at Motherwell. Even on the last night of the season, when we won at Hibs, the performance excited me. I just found it impossible to draw myself away from that."

Youngsters like David Clarkston - who was yesterday called into the Scotland squad for Friday's friendly in the Czech Republic - and Ross McCormack who, although he has already quit the Lanarkshire club, is also in George Burley's squad, have shone this season under McGhee's tutelage, while the likes of Mark Reynolds, Darren Smith and Marc Fitzpatrick also look like exciting prospects for the Fir Park side.

"I felt it was right to make the decision now," said McGhee.

"If it had been a financial decision I would be on my way to Vilinius right now.

"But the decision wasn't down to money, it was just down to the way I felt."

McGhee's stock has never been higher and should he enjoy another fine season when the new campaign gets underway he will doubtless attract further offers.

For now, though, Motherwell are happy to keep their man.

"He remains at Fir Park and we're delighted." said Well chairman John Boyle.